Taylor Swift makes triumphant return to the awards show stage at AMAs with quieter political message

The country songbird-turned-pop-princess took the stage at the American Music Awards Tuesday night, her first performance at an awards show in three years, for a haunting rendition of “I Did Something Bad.”

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Dressed in a glittery one-piece that quickly gave way to her standard leotard and knee-high boots, the Nashville singer slowed down the single off her “Reputation” album before breaking out into a slickly choreographed number surrounded by fog, fire imagery and back-up dancers. After a sultry bridge to lyrics about pitchforks and witches — “They got their pitchforks and proof, their receipts and reasons/They’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one/So light me up” — a larger-than-life snake emerged on stage as Swift wrapped to a standing ovation.

Swift, who has won 19 AMA awards, added another three this year: Artist of the Year, Tour of the Year and Favorite Album – Pop/Rock. With 23, she now holds the record for most wins by a female artist.

“Every single award given out tonight was voted on by the people,” she said while accepting the trophy for artist of the year. “And you know what else is voted on by the people? The midterm elections on Nov. 6 Get out and vote.”

The “End Game” singer’s return to the stage comes on the heels of her entrance into the political arena, a surprise endorsement of two Tennessee Democrats: Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for the House.

“In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country toward people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love,” Swift wrote on Instagram late Sunday.

“Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values.”

Within 24 hours of Swift’s message, Vote.org saw about 65,000 new voter registrations and about 169,000 between Sunday and Tuesday. Of the 169,00, more than 102,000 were between 18 and 29 years old.